Tone deaf Maine columnist Bill Nemitz on Susan Collins, again
Bill Nemitz is a monument in Maine so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume an altruistic motive when he wrote the incredibly condescending and absurd opinion piece published in today’s Portland Press Herald. He likes imaginary letters so here’s mine to him.
Dear Bill,
Susan Collins was in Washington when the insurrection occurred and sits on the Intelligence Committee.
She was in the room when it happened, Bill. You were in front of your TV in Buxton — yet you write its Senator Collins with a “distorted prism” in this moment of history?
She won the election handily, Bill, the one you were so certain she would lose and hoped she would lose — you might think to give her and the majority of people who voted for her for the 5th time the benefit of the doubt. She is good at her job and she’s brave and we trust her despite your repeated attempts to convince us otherwise.
You backed down from a “no trespassing sign” and security cameras, Bill, keyboard warrior that you may be. You were afraid to walk up the driveway of a Trump supporter. Maybe Susan Collins is not responding to your demands to speak like she’s your dog because she’s on the phone with the Pentagon or Vice-president elect Harris or members of the CIA or FBI.
You accuse Senator Collins of not speaking but she published a detailed account of her day and said clearly the president incited the violence on January 6th. You expect one the most senior United States Senators to blurt out on your command what she intends to do in the future about some of the most important and consequential issues of our time? So you can spin it like the old record your columns about her have become?
Earth to Bill!
Do you recognize the demographic that committed 99% of the rioting and thuggery and cast the votes against certifying the election results? You know, white guys? Has it occurred to you that part of our problem is the same demographic feels entitled to filter the news from their ivory tower?
Is there any doubt Susan Collins remains in the room now where its happening? Who do you think Mitch McConnell speaks to about the upcoming trial? Who did the Joint Chiefs bring into the fold before issuing their statement? Which Republican senators are the Biden administration consulting with?
As critical decisions are being made every hour and steps taken in epic historical proportion she is on the front lines but you think its Senator Collins who has a “distorted prism” in this moment of history? Really? The arrogance is remarkable — that you know better what she should have thought or should say.
And because you watched television in Buxton you knew instantly who was behind the attack “like everyone else?” She was in the chamber and has access to security threat information on the highest level.
Why you assume to speak for everyone is my point, Bill. I don’t agree with you at all. I could care less whether Susan Collins responds to your demands to comment on her expected verdict of a trial that may or may not take place when the country is on high alert for violence by radical extremists. I have no doubt she will be part of any group trying to do the right thing.
Love,
Cynthia